Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Portrait by GYRO, Brewery Art Colony, L.A.
Posts: 170

I recently pulled the HD out of my HDVR2 and slapped in a Samsung 120GB. Now I'm thinking I may want to add a second Samsung 120GB. Not that I need more space, I just want it to be bigger.

But, I've seen three different two-drive bracket options that support the HDVR2. The prices range from $12.49 to $49.00:

1) TIVOBRACKET-S2 (http://www.9thTee.com/TiVoMtgBracket-s2.htm)
$12.49 (+Shipping)
Glue-on plastic support with a flat piece of metal.

2) TwinBreeze Basic (http://www.weaknees.com/twinbreeze.html)
$29.00 (Free Shippng)
Space-age bracket with venting.

3) TwinBreeze Complete (http://www.weaknees.com/twinbreeze.html)
$49.00 (Free Shippng)
Same space-age bracket but with cables, extra fans, etc.

So, which option are you most happy with?

Some of the issues to consider:
Ease of installation
Cost
Heat reduction (or increase)
Power consumption (ie, ability to boot two drives with added fans)

designr

POST #1 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2002
Location:
Posts: 31

I just installed such a thing...and yes, I voted.

regards,

patrick

POST #2 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2003
Location:
Posts: 3

I have the same unit and want to do the same upgrade with the Twinbreeze. What do I need to make the hard drive that I buy work. This is my first TIVO upgrade and dont know. I am under the impression that I cannot just go buy a hard drive, take it out of the box, and slap it in the Twinbreeze and into the unit. Please help!

POST #3 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2002
Location: New York area
Posts: 387

I think the results of this will be interested. However, the twinbreeze is BRAND new. I wonder if the space age plastic has even cooled off yet!

Iceman--I suggest you e-mail weaknees your questions. You'll get a better, faster answer from them.

POST #4 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2003
Location:
Posts: 5

I just did my first ever upgrade of a HDVR2 - just added a Samsung 120G drive (tool me to 141H). I got the TwinBreeze complete kit.

It was a little nerve wracking because I'm a software guy not a hardware guy, but when all was said and done it went exactly like the document says, and the fans and mounting bracket seem of fairly high quality - everything screwed in as I'd expect and it all fit in tightly.

The fans installed well and the temp in the case seems a little lower (around 39 now, usually 43-44), but then I just finished and it hasn't been running long.

My main issue was the stupid IDE connectors - they're a bitch to take in/out, I broke a little plastic part off it - it was a useless part so no real damage. Also, the plastic 'thumb' on the bracket that goes under the Tivo HD mount bent the metal a little - no big deal.

Otherwise, so far I can recommend the TwinBreeze complete.

POST #5 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2003
Location:
Posts: 3

I emailed Weeknees and they said I could not take a drive out of the box and use it. How did you guys install the Samsung 120GB hard drives. Did ya'll load the Tivo software on thier urself, or did u buy it from a place that loaded it already.

POST #6 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 5232

I have a TIVOBRACKET-S2 and I'm sad, because I bought it before the TwinBreeze was announced. I like the idea of better venting. The 9thTee bracket will undoubtedly work fine, it's just not as nice and space-agey.

I haven't upgraded my S2 yet (waiting for the weeknees power supply solution) so I don't know if I'll use the bracket I've got, or get a TwinBreeze or TwinBreeze Complete.

__________________
WWJKD - what would Jim Kirk do?

POST #7 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 7476

iceman650, see the "how to upgrade your TiVo" thread at the top of this forum section page. There are VERY detailed instructions available. You need to run some software (available for free download) to prepare the blank disks for use in a TiVo.

__________________
Steve

One thousand three hundred thirty-three, zero

POST #8 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2

the twinbreeze works a treat. My unit now runs at 31-36, and is no louder than before the upgrade. Very easy install....

POST #9 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 620

quote:

---

Originally posted by JPriller
I have a TIVOBRACKET-S2 and I'm sad, because I bought it before the TwinBreeze was announced. I like the idea of better venting. The 9thTee bracket will undoubtedly work fine, it's just not as nice and space-agey.

I haven't upgraded my S2 yet (waiting for the weeknees power supply solution) so I don't know if I'll use the bracket I've got, or get a TwinBreeze or TwinBreeze Complete.

---

POST #10 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: Lansing, MI
Posts: 5232

quote:

---

Originally posted by DCIFRTHS
Any idea as to what the power solution will be?

---

__________________
WWJKD - what would Jim Kirk do?

POST #11 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 2

I bought the TIVOBRACKET-S2 and I'm waiting for delivery. I didn't know about any other bracket. The fans intrique me. For those of you that installed the TIVOBRACKET-S2, what is the temperture now?

__________________
Bob Bradley

POST #12 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 147

I'll probably get the TB Complete for the cooling since my DSR6K died from Power Supply Failure...

__________________
Hughes HDVR2 w/ added 80GB Weaknees Bracket [12/02 to ?]

Hughes HDVR2 Stock [11/03 to ?]

Phillips DSR6000 [10/01 to 12/02 RIP]

POST #13 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2002
Location:
Posts: 19

I just ordered the Twinbreeze bracket complte set for my HDVR2. I should have it this week, and will post my experiences at that point. I will be installing two new Samsung 120GB Hard drives to replace the 40GB hard drive in the HDVR2.

Happy upgrading!
- Joey

POST #14 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Nov 2002
Location: JCP - Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 280

Got 2 samsungs installed... temps stayed about the same ( 49 C or so ) even with a VERY jury rigged 2nd drive installation ( Let's put it this way.. there's folded ( Nicely, carefully, but..) static bag inside my TIvo right now......

I JUST ordered the TwinBreeze complete. I dunno how much of it I'll put it.. I don't mind replacing stuff ( fans, etc) as I'm comfy inside the hardware or software of a computer, so, I'll may try it bare and see what the Temp drop is, then add in the 2 new fans.

Watch this space....shipped tonight Fedex Ground for free....my experiences coming up.

__________________
----------------------------------
HDVR2 212 Hour (2x120g)
HDVR2 35 Hours (Stock..for now)
Channel Plus 3025, channels 90 and 92
DirecTV subscriber since September 1996
Tivolutionary since December 2002

POST #15 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Posts: 2

I got my TIVOBRACKET-S2 last week and did the installation over the weekend. I put in a WD100 and a WD120. Followed the instructions and was done in about 15 mins. No problems and now I have 192 hrs. The most difficult part was preparing the drives and that was only because I had to wait. I watched the temperature and I went for 39C to 41C. I don't see that as an issue. I'm happy.

__________________
Bob Bradley

POST #16 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 60

I think you really need another two options for the poll:

I made my own mount and I'm happy
I made my own mount and I'm sad

I made my own (stacked drives mount) and I'm happy, my HDVR2 runs a bit cooler, and all's well. See this thread for my details. -Mike

Last edited by drmcm on 03-20-2003 at 05:53 AM

POST #17 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Northern VA/DC Area
Posts: 2052

The Twinbreeze really hasn't been out long enough for this poll to be efficient. I installed both the 9thtee bracket and the twinbreeze complete (see my sig for thoughts and pics.) Conclusion, I like the Twinbreeze because there's no double sided tape, it looks stock, and it dropped the temp in my Tivo by about 10 degrees celcius. Power cosumption of the extra fans is only .5 watts. Installation of either is simple.

__________________
Several upgraded Series2 DTivo's
HDTivo - Upgraded to 500GB :)
My experience with the DirecTV Protection Plan.

POST #18 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Billerica, MA
Posts: 24

I have 4 Hughes HDVR2's. I had installed the 9th Tee TIVOBRACKET-S2 brackets in 2 of them. They certainly worked, but the double sided sticky tape setup isn't exactly ideal. I got the 4th HDVR2 a few weeks ago, so I ordered 3 of the TwinBreeze complete kits. After FedEx Ground managed to deliver them to the wrong address yesterday they arrived early this afternoon.

I had a 120GB drive waiting for the newest HDVR2, but I started by swapping the TwinBreeze kits for the 9th Tee kits in the first 2. Much nicer way of mounting the second drive IMO. The IDE cable is nice and flexible and everything fits like a glove. The one complaint I would make is that the replacement rear case fans turned out to be louder than the Panaflo fans that were already in the HDVR2's, so I ended up not using them (I discovered this right after swapping the first one, so I only had to deal with this once). Otherwise, I highly recommend getting the complete version for the extra fan, and the perfect fit of the power and IDE cables. Very complete instructions are included.

It took me a little over 90 minutes to swap the 2 9th Tee kits for TwinBreeze kits, and to install the third one including blessing the new drive.

Now to figure out what to do with the 2 9th Tee kits that I pulled out.

__________________
Geoffrey Reynolds
http://www.geocities.com/landrovah/crestron.html

POST #19 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 5

I already have replacement fans for the rear of my HDVR2 so the TwinBreeze complete kit is not really needed for me.

What size and type is that second fan that the kit came with?

Is the supplied IDE cable and special Y-power splitter so different from standard PC stuff I might have laying around to warrant the extra $20 in your opinion?

POST #20 | Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged